Effort or Achievement

There is a debate on whether effort or achievement should be valued more in many different areas of life such as school, athletics, jobs, family, etc. Each side of the arguement has support. Many will say that all that matters is performance, no matter how the individual goes about performing. Others believe that personal effort is what counts and the performance is beyond a person's control. Does it not seem that society puts an unhealthy emphasis on achievement?
I believe individuals should be held accountable to putting forth their best effort rather than focusing on achievement. If a best effort is put forth, performance usually follows assuming the individual is a capable human being. If a student in school can prove an understanding of the material in a way other than performing well on a one hour test, I believe the effort and understanding should be rewarded. The player with the most skill in the world still needs to be held acountable to show up to practice or else risk losing his spot on the team just as anyone else would. In the work place, a mistake could be more costly than in an academic setting, but a complete effort from the person that was hired should be enough to avoid a mistake. If otherwise, the person most likely would have not been hired. Lastly, with family life, as long as a parent puts forth the effort to live by certain morals and uphold them, the parenting performance will shine through.
Effort is much more pure than plain achievement. There is no back door when it comes to effort. On the other hand, some people will do anything just to achieve, which leads to immorality. American society needs to change its over-emphasis on achievement alone. With effort, comes achievement.

Glady-ator

A 90-year-old woman named Gladys Burrill has decided to train for her fifth Honolulu Marathon. Her goal is to set the record for women between 90 and 94 years of age. I have extreme admiration for someone with this type of motivation. Gladys saw the marathon fireworks go off one day and decided that it would be her new endeavor to participate in marathons. It is always inspirational when someone has a new goal and goes after it with a strong effort.
I have always thought about potential hobbies, especially when it comes to what I will do when I am elderly. I have tried musical hobbies such as piano and chorus, but I never became passionate. Sports, working out, running, etc. definately consume a good percentage of my time, but it is always good to think about new hobbies. Maybe one day I will see the "fireworks" that lead me to starting a new passion as Gladys did. On the website http://www.kitv.com/cnn-news/18048676/detail.html Gladys tells a reporter her motto: "It's important to be athletic -- excercise and doing something, walking is the best. Your attitude -- think positive and sometimes it might seem hard to think positive, but you just do it." If people could have this motto in mind, they would definately find their passions whether the passion is athletically related or not. We all need a little Glady-ator in us!

For Sale By Owner

     When is the real estate market going to improve?  I feel bad for those who are trying to sell a house right now, but there must be a solution.  At this point, sellers are questioning whether or not it is worth it to hire a real estate agent.  An article in CBS news suggests that people should sell there homes on their own.  The commission that goes to a real estate agent could dip into the seller's personal savings according to http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/11/business/realestate/main4438443.shtml.  This sounds like advice worth listening to considering it is currently one of the few truths in the real estate business.  It will not be detrimental if a seller sells without a real estate agent by his side.  Just about everything else in the business is unknown.

     I can speak from personal experience.  My family has had a house for sale for more than two years now, and it is impossible to get a buyer interested in buying the home.  It is rare that one will visit the home.  Even considering that it is a quality house in a great neighborhood, there has not been interest.  It does not help that there are around twenty houses for sale in the same price range in the same neighborhood!  I feel as if no one has the answer in the real estate business right now and that it will stay that way for a while.  

     Anyone who can positively impact the real estate market will help a myriad of sellers.  All I want is for my parents' house to sell.  But it's nice to know that the CBS News article can give such great advice as to "think like a buyer" and "set the right price."  This advice is so comforting considering everyone knows that already!  That information is common sense, isn't it? 

A Depressing Advancement in Technology

     In the past few years, I have finally understood why some people are against advances in technology.  This includes the grandparent who does not dare touch an ipod, let alone a cell phone.  I see why many enjoy using the first technology they encountered growing up.  The one advancement in technology that I feel this way about is the transition from VHSs to DVDs.  I grew up playing movies through a VCR.  In fact, every movie I ever watched at home as a child was VHS playing in a VCR. 

     When the advanced DVD player came out, I was not sure how to react.  I thought it would blow over quickly and the VCR would remain king of playing movies.  All my friends started to buy DVDs and receive them for Christmas and other occasions, but I never would request a DVD or DVD player.  My family continued to purchase VHS tapes, and we played them in a VCR.  Even when my dad got his first big screen, we made sure there was a VCR that could link to the TV.  

     Unfortunately, the DVD craze never ended like I had hoped and predicted.  My father ended up purchasing a DVD player and starting his DVD collection!  How could he do this to me?  Although he gave in, my mom and I stayed strong until we had no other option.  With the advances in television technology, VCRs became practically obsolete.  VHS tapes were rare to find in stores, and it had become a reality: DVDs had taken over.  There was nothing I could do about this, and if I wanted to watch movies, they had to be DVDs.  At least when I am elderly, I can tell my grandchildren about how great the VCR was.

The Real American Amusement Park Experience

     I have been to a handful of amusement parks in my lifetime.  There's the Disney park system in Orlando, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, Hershey Park, Six Flag's Over Georgia, Six Flag's Over St. Louis, Dorney Park, etc.  

     As popular as the parks at Disney World are, the true American thrill can be found in the Six Flag's chain.  From the different countries at Epcot to Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Disney offers a great experience with varied attractions.  I love Disney, but when I am craving an amusement park experience, the first place I think of is Six Flag's.  Who really wants to sing "It's a Small World After All" on a rowboat going about a mile an hour?  Disney does have a handful of thrills, but they are cluttered with 3-D movies, kid zones, mild rides, etc.  There is too much creativity!  All a theme park needs is thrills.  Six Flag's understands this concept very well.  

     A real thrill-seeker must chose a park like Six Flag's because Six Flag's gets down to business.  Almost every ride at the Six Flag's I go to is an intense roller coaster.  I could care less about a dinosaur popping out at me if it means the ride will not be as fun.  I want my legs to dangle in the air and the wind to blow my hair as I look to the blue sky while riding a roller coaster.  I want back to back thrills, even if it means the risk of throwing up.  Real Americans go to amusement parks for many wild rides, and Six Flag's provides that experience.

Speak Up or Die

     It has become way too common for football players to suffer from heatstroke. Is it a mistake that coaches are making or the players? In my mind, it is an inner struggle that the players must face in order to avoid heatstroke and death. Coaches have their practice plans and will most likely stick to them. It is up to the player to prepare as necessary when it comes to hydrating properly, getting enough rest, and staying in shape.
     When a player gets to the point that they throw up multiple times from a workout it is necessary to stop. Who doesn't have the common sense to know that? Korey Stringer, an ex-Minnesota Viking, threw up three times during a practice one summer day and did not consult a trainer until after practice according to this article at http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0731/1233494.html. By then it was too late, and he trageically died at the young age of twenty-seven. I must wonder what goes through a person's head that keeps them from seeking help when they begin throwing up, seeing stars, etc. from a workout. Is it the pressure to impress teamates, coaches, and fans? No one will know what went through Korey Stringer's mind that morning, but atleast heatstroke awareness increased after this tragic event took place.
     People will go to great lengths to not look weak in front others, which is my only guess as to why Stringer continued particpating in that practice. This is a common theme in athletics ranging from middle school to the professional level. Athletes must be more cautious when proceeding into an intense workout.